Volvo Trucks announces trials with natural gas trucks in South Africa
Volvo Trucks Southern Africa has brought in two LNG trucks to be used for local testing in South Africa. These new trucks, which have specifically been developed for heavy regional and long-haul operations, offer the same fuel efficiency as diesel-powered equivalents and can operate at the same speed, while reducing fuel costs.
“Many of our customers already work hard to reduce their environmental footprint. We therefore see a clear potential for LNG units as a vital part of the solution,” said Marcus Hörberg, vice president of Volvo Group Southern Africa. “Our vision is that trucks from Volvo will eventually have zero emissions, although the way of achieving that is not by one single solution but rather through several solutions in parallel.”
“The new Volvo FH LNG drives and performs just like the Volvo FH you know,” said Eric Parry, product manager of Volvo Trucks Southern Africa. “The powertrain in the new trucks is based on our renowned diesel engine technology. Also, by using LNG rather than CNG, it is possible to carry larger quantities of fuel and thus ensure the necessary operating range for long-haul assignments.”
“The engine is the heart of any truck,” added Parry. “The gas-powered G13C engine’s efficiency is on a par with diesel and operators can expect the same service intervals, reliability and performance. Just like Volvo’s other Euro 6 trucks, the Volvo FH LNG uses SCR technology with Adblue and a particulate filter for exhaust after-treatment.”
When it comes to the supply of LNG to fleets, new local developments and partnerships in the segment have resulted in the establishment of a limited refueling infrastructure, specifically on the N3 highway between Durban and Johannesburg.
“As the LNG coverage expands, the viability of running vehicles on this efficient fuel alternative will certainly increase,” concluded Parry. “We will soon start with local testing to establish how viable this is for our market and customers.”
Volvo Trucks will also offer driver training to assist fleet owners.
